But super sub Cameron Stewart curled home a delightful free kick before Andy Williams won it with a cool finish deep into stoppage time.

The visitors had gone ahead against the run of play in the first half through Marcus Haber before Conor Grant scored his third goal in two games to equalise.

Victory extended Rovers’ latest unbeaten run to four games and saw them move level on points with 12th placed Sheffield United.

Rovers exuded confidence and control during the first quarter but were unable to make it count.

Grant flashed an effort just wide from distance and Williams saw his low shot saved by Ben Garratt following a short corner routine.

Crewe went ahead totally against the run of play on 26 minutes following their first significant foray forward.

Ryan Colclough probed on the edge of the area before cleverly playing in Adam King who crossed for Haber to tap home from two yards out.

Nathan Tyson missed a gilt-edged chance to level immediately when he inexplicably failed to keep his close range effort down following James Coppinger’s cross.

But Rovers were quickly on level terms when another Coppinger cross was deflected perfectly into the path of Grant to volley home.

As the half ended in entertaining fashion, the home side had to be grateful to Thorsten Stuckmann for keeping them on level terms.

First the German denied Colclough and then Ryan Lowe with a double save before another full length stop kept out King’s effort from the angle of the box.

Grant fizzed a shot just wide soon after the re-start but it was Crewe, who had visibly gained in confidence following their goal, that began the period slightly better.

In horrendous weather conditions, the game became scrappier, disjointed and more clear cut chances began to dry up.

Stewart almost made the difference when his pinpoint cross from the right picked out Williams but the striker could not direct his header on target.

Grant then hit a rasping drive from range just over the bar but there was no sign of the drama still to come.

Some fine work on the ball from Colclough was the precursor to a sweeping Crewe move that saw Saunders score his first ever senior goal, tapping home Oliver Turton’s cross, to seemingly steal the points.

However, a Rovers side that also came from behind to beat Cambridge United in the FA Cup last weekend had other ideas.